5.6-Magnitude Earthquake in East Flores Not Trigger Tsunami

TEMPO.CO, Kupang - A tectonic earthquake with a magnitude of 5.6 Richter Scale occurred in Sawu Sea, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) on Monday, June 17, 2019, at 12:43:31 AM Western Indonesian Time (WIB).

The head of Geophysics Station of Kampung Baru in Kupang, Robert Owen Wahyu, said that based on the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency's (BMKG) analysis, the initial information recorded 5.6 magnitude quake, which was then modified to 5.4 magnitudes.

The quake epicenter was located at 8.94 degrees south latitude and 123.01 east longitude, or more precisely in the sea, 68 kilometers south of Larantuka City, East Flores, with a depth of 118 kilometers.

Based on the location and the quake hypocenter, the medium-depth quake caused by the Indo-Australian plate's subduction with the Eurasian plate (thrust fault).

The tremor was reportedly felt in several areas with different intensities; Lembata, Ende with the intensity of MMI III-IV scale, Wangipau, Larantuka, Alor with the intensity of MMI II-III scale, Kupang, Rote with the intensity of MMI I-II scale.

"No report on damage following the earthquake," he said.

Additionally, the report will not cause a tsunami, and as of 1:08 PM WIB, no aftershock occurred. "The public is appealed to maintain calm and not influenced by baseless information," Robert underlined.

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